Jazz Could Be Without Crucial Guard vs Celtics

A key Utah scorer may sit out against the reigning champs on Friday.

Mar 6, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) and guard Collin Sexton (2) speak during a second quarter break in action against the Chicago Bulls at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images

A key Utah Jazz scorer may sit out against the reigning champion Boston Celtics on Friday night.

Per Underdog NBA, former 2021 Sixth Man of the Year combo guard Jordan Clarkson has seen his status downgraded to questionable with a foot injury.

Jazz Injury Report:

*OUT - Jaden Springer (low back - injury management)

*QUESTIONABLE - Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis)

*AVAILABLE - Svi Mykhailiuk (right foot strain)

OUT - John Collins (left ankle sprain)

OUT - Elijah Harkless (G League)

OUT - Taylor Hendricks…

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 21, 2025

According to the league's latest injury report, the 6-foot-3 Missouri product is dealing with left plantar fasciitis.

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Two other critical Jazz scorers have already been shelved, in the form of forwards John Collins (sprained left ankle) and Lauri Markkanen (personal reasons). Power forward Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture), swingman KJ Martin (right elbow bursitis), and former Celtics guard Jaden Springer (low back injury management) are all out, as well.

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Two-way Jazz players Elijah Harkless and Oscar Tshiebwe have also been ruled out, and they'll put in reps with the club's G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.

Sitting Clarkson, Markkanen and Collins feels like almost a strategic play for a 16-54 Jazz club that's looking to accrue maximal lottery balls as the 2024-25 regular season winds up.

On the Boston side, four-time All-Star small forward Jaylen Brown has been shelved with a right knee posterior impingement, while deep-bench big man Xavier Tillman is also out due to a left knee joint sprain.

Clarkson is in the first season of a two-year, $28.4 million contract extension he inked with Utah in July 2023. He'll net $14.3 million in 2025-26. If Boston didn't have the younger Payton Pritchard on a very reasonable four-year, $32 million deal and wasn't completely capped out, Clarkson could be an exciting trade prospect for the 18-time world champions.

THIS JORDAN CLARKSON PLAY 😱

Spins around 1 defender... puts the ball through the legs... and drops off a dime. pic.twitter.com/xxGRwDDCL6

— NBA (@NBA) March 15, 2025

Clarkson may be a more creative scorer off the dribble than Pritchard, but Pritchard is a more frequent 3-point shooter, is five years younger, and is cheaper. Still, Clarkson could work as a fascinating target for contenders looking for more bench help.

The 32-year-old vet is averaging 16.4 points on .411/.364/.794 shooting splits, 3.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in his 36 healthy bouts (nine starts).

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